- The most important supply need to make a Log Cabin quilt is fabric. Whether you choose to use scraps from completed projects or purchase new yardage is up to you. If you want an eclectic quilt for a teen, scraps may be the way to go. On the other hand, if your mother-in-law wants a sophisticated wall hanging you may need to go the planned yardage route. Whatever you decide, you need lots of 100 percent cotton strips of varying colors and widths. The more contrast in your quilt, the better. It helps to separate your hues (lights, mediums, darks) when planning your pattern.
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A self-mending quilting board with a measurement grid is a must for quilters. Use the board and an acrylic ruler to make sure your strips are evenly cut. A large rotary cutter will provide you a heaping pile of fabric strips in no time.
You'll also need other equipment including a sewing machine, iron, thread, machine needles, quilting pins, basting pins, scissors, 1/4-inch foot and a seam ripper. - Patterns for quilts are not the same as the thin paper you lay over fabric to sew blouses and dresses. Rather, they are instructions that guide you in setting your blocks to create a pleasing pattern. There are many variations of the Log Cabin--such as the Pineapple, Streak of Lightning and Courthouse Steps--to choose from. For the more difficult designs you may want to use paper foundation piecing.
- Once the top of your quilt is formed you will need to add the batting. Your choices are 100 percent cotton or synthetic. Which one you use depends on what look you'd like for your quilt. Batting is categorized by loft, and the higher the loft the thicker your finished quilt will be. If you are making a wall hanging, go low. If you'd like more bulk, pick a higher loft for your quilt "filling." It is difficult to machine quilt the highest batting.
- You will also need fabric backing to finish your quilt. The easiest way to do this is to use 108-inch wide backing with no seams, pre-cut from fabric stores. After you quilt in the ditch (in the seams to define blocks) bind the raw edges. If cutting your own binding, bias binding gives you the most insurance in case of a split as only a small area would need repair.
